I am pleased to provide the FBI Laboratory’s Forensic Science Specialized Training Program Catalog for 2001.

This catalog is a compilation of specialized forensic courses offered by the FBI Laboratory to crime laboratory and law enforcement personnel throughout the world. Included in this catalog are an overview of this year’s program, course offerings and descriptions, application instructions, and an application form.

The FBI Laboratory continues to enhance the training program, as well as the student record-keeping and selection procedures for its specialized courses. This year, 18 new courses have been added to the program, and three of these are distance learning-based courses.

All applications from federal, state, and local crime laboratory and law enforcement individuals must be submitted through their agency supervisors. Applications will be accepted once a year and will remain active only during that training year. Applications must be post-marked no later than October 31, 2000, to be included in the selection and class coordination process. Please review the catalog carefully as there are some programmatic changes that have been implemented for the upcoming year.

I trust that this catalog will be helpful in planning your training program and enable us to help meet the needs of the forensic community.

Dr. Donald M. Kerr Assistant Director Laboratory Division

FBI Forensic Science Training Unit Mission Statement and Objectives

To facilitate and provide high quality training and information exchange in the forensic sciences to the FBI, DEA, National Academy, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including crime laboratories.

One objective of the Specialized Forensic Science Training Program is to coordinate state-of-the-art forensic science and crime scene instruction for federal, state, and local law enforcement investigators and crime laboratory scientists and/or technicians.

A second objective of the program is to ensure equitable allocation of training resources.

Goals

Goal 1: Provide a training program that meets the needs of the forensic science and law enforcement community.

As currently offered, the Specialized Forensic Science Training Program is not able to fully meet the needs of the forensic science and law enforcement community. Implementation of an allotment application system has improved the process. However, each year there remain some applicants who are not selected for training.

The revisions to the FY2000 program and extra efforts from instructors have significantly decreased the number of applicants who applied for, but did not receive, training. We will continue to work toward our goal of fulfilling 100 percent of the allotted training slots.

As was the case last year, the allotment system will remain a part of the application process. However, the number, date, and location of courses will not be scheduled until after the application deadline. The schedule will be constructed to meet the training needs identified by the received applications. Although under-enrolled courses will not be offered, affected agencies will be provided a re-enrollment opportunity to avoid loosing the allotted training position.

Goal 2: Build strong relationships with local and state law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories.

Academy bed space and student travel funding limitations are barriers that have resulted in reduced training opportunities. Coordination with local and state agencies in centralized geographic areas will be pursued as host locations for off-site training courses. This cooperative effort will allow for additional training and reduction of costs.

Road schools will no longer be provided through special requests, but they will be coordinated to meet the needs of the Forensic Science Specialized Training Program applicants.